Much Better

After a busy weekend of painting, my ego is once again inflated by just how great things are looking. We're super happy with the way the dining room turned out. I ended up choosing (with the help of all of my blogging friends advice!) to paint the entire room the gray color, Silver Fox. It's the perfect color. Thank you Mrs.Limestone for sharing it.

(my pictures are really terrible, my camera is a piece of junk)

We also started painting the living room the light gray color I selected, Pale Oak. I absolutely LOVE this color. It's the perfect gray, no blue undertones. We only finished a couple walls because we have really odd ceilings in this room, so it was a tough painting job. I just HAD to see how the drapes looked against the newly painted walls, so I had the hubs install them late last night. He's a doll for putting up with my crazed late night decorating!

(without flash)

(with flash)

Now, off to help MIL accessorize her house. Her place is really coming along. I can't wait to share some recent photos with you!

My Ego Is Shattered

NEED I SAY MORE?

I need to choose one of the colors - they obviously don't work together. Gray or Green? Opinions??

My dining room is Ugly with a capital "U". "Fernwood Green" turned out to be too, hmmm ferny. I neutralized it a bit with some of the gray color and a tad bit of white and it turned out exactly like I wanted it. The gray however, is not good at all. "Silver Fox" is gorgeous on it's own, a beautiful warm gray. Once I painted the green above the chair rail, all of the purple undertones became apparent in the gray color. Oh, and now I can't stand the white trim. I think the previous owners just used "white" straight from the can. Ugh. This is one ugly room.

The good news is that the green is looking great with the green silk drapes that I am using in the adjoining living room! A small "Yaaay".

My color instructor would definitely give me a "D" for this painting mess. : (

I'll Be In My Office

I was so inspired to actually use our little patio today after seeing this beautiful illustration by pve design. Her work is wonderful! Thanks for getting me outside, Patricia.

*I'm not really working, it is lunch time afterall. The website that is on my computer is Decorpad which is like my "internet home". If I'm not checking e-mails or blogging, I'm there chatting with other interior design obsessed people! Check it out.

Select Paint Colors...

Cross that one off my "To Do" list. It only took me two weeks to settle on some paint colors. Although, being a cocky interior design student, I didn't buy any testers so I'm sure I'll be repainting a wall or two. The photos below are of the colors that were here when we moved in. "After" photos to come soon! Here are the colors that I've decided on...

(all colors courtesy of Benjamin Moore)

living room - Pale Oak

dining room - Silver Fox (below chair rail) Fernwood Green (above)

master bedroom - Feather Down

(yes, those are clothes on the floor...these photos clearly haven't been staged, it's real life)

master bathroom - Silver Streak (I like dark, "jewel-box" bathrooms)

office - Donald Kaufman white #67 (pictured with previous owners stuff)

I can't wait to try a Donald Kaufman color! I've heard great things from instructors at my design school about how the color is luminescent, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I picked a crisp white.

Off to start painting!

Off To Boston

After a super busy day of fabric shopping and buying a truckload of fabulous annuals from this great nursery, I'm headed to Boston to help my sister-in-law with her new condo. She and her husband bought a beautiful, character-filled two bedroom with a huge rooftop deck that they are updating/remodeling. I can't wait to see them and as well as their work-in-progress!

{photo by John Kernick for National Geographic}

Tan Lines Have Faded

Just a handful of photos (in no particular order) from our recent sailing trip to the Greek Isles. A few favorite islands were Milos for it's dramatic landscapes and beaches, Hydra because of it's lack of motorized transportation and it's artisans, Paros for it's charming boutiques and restaurants, and Santorini ...because it's possibly one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

Below is the route that we took. It was a two week bareboat charter that stopped each day at a different island to explore the archeological sites as well as the local culture. If you are considering sailing the Greek Isles someday, you have to look into Poseidon Charters. Steve (the captain/co-owner or the company) was so incredible to work with. I can't recommend him and his company enough!

Click here for the detailed itinerary.

We stayed three nights in Santorini (the rest of the nights we slept in our cabins on the boat) at the Nostos Apartments (pictured above is the view from our room). They only have a handfull of simple, clean apartments with kitchenettes. I would recommend them if you're looking for an amazing view, but don't necessarily need all of the extras that a hotel may have (restaurant, room service, etc.). They do have a great pool though!

Making Progress

Things are coming right along in the new house. This week the new coffee table arrived as well as our patio furniture. We're excited to take advantage of the nice weather we're supposed to have this weekend.

I've been focusing on the living room because it's the first room you see as you walk in the front door, so I want it to look nice ASAP. My "to do list" is:

1. pick a paint color and paint (hire painters because the ceiling is vaulted)
2. find area rug
3. install window treatments
4. accessorize
5. figure out how to make the fireplace surround more attractive

Can you believe this is the same sofa? I found it on Craig's List (for a steal!) and had it recovered.

The new table from The Well Appointed House. It has an antiqued mirrored finish on the top which I love!

A fun accent table that I've been coveting for some time now purchased via Lillian August, but they're everywhere.
The dark brown chairs will be moving to the family room when these beauties arrive from Hickory Chair

The new patio furniture from Crate and Barrel

The top is tiled with travertine which supposedly has been clear-coated with a sealer to make it less porous.